FLYMPH FORUM

The blend of raccoon tail underfur and hare's poll posted recently in the "Tying" section struck me as being eminently caddis-like. Hence, the Coontail Spider (with a "thank you" nod to the Leisenring Spider pattern):

Hook: Daiichi 1530, Size #16
Thread: Pearsall's Gossamer #3, primrose
Rib: Braided gold tinsel, fine
Body: 50/50 blend of raccoon tail underfur and hare's poll spun in primrose silk on Clark block

Wow, that spun body really came off sparse and slight. Not what I expected from the material. The block technique does a lot to tame some heavier materials but this goes to show, it takes a keen hand to produce such a delicate little body like this for a#16 caddis. Absolutely beautiful.

A capital killer, for sure.

Great technique Bill. Those darn Daiichi 1530, Size #16 hooks are more like an 18 of other manufacturers. Pretty dang good tying on such a small hook.

Thanks guys. As Ray pointed out privately, I forget to list the partridge hackle in the recipe. Halfheimers ...

Lol, sometimes I think mine is Allzheimers.
What is the silk like to finger dub as opposed to Uni thread? Thank you.

tie2fish wrote:Thanks guys. As Ray pointed out privately, I forget to list the partridge hackle in the recipe. Halfheimers ...

Bill prior to wrapping your hackle have you stripped one side of hackle barbs or have you left all barbs in tact? Whatever the case this is a very nice looking soft hackle.

Regards, Jerry

Tim ~ I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "finger dub", but since it has more surface texture than does Uni-Thread, Pearsall's Gossamer silk holds dubbing at least as well. It also splits more easily, holds wax nicely for touch dubbing, and will accommodate twist dubbing if you twist in the proper direction.

Jerry ~ The partridge was not stripped; some other hackle feathers with higher barb density (grouse, plover, hen, etc) might look better doing that, but for purposes of flymph-style hackling, small partridge feathers usually do not.

That is where you moisten your fingers and twist the dubbin on the thread. Typically, I twist the dubbin in a clockwise direction on the thread, but with silk, I was wondering how it would take to being twisted in such a manner. Thank you.

That came out really nice! I'm glad the underfur worked for you Bill.
Great little fly!